RAWALPINDI: A considerable increase in crime against women, including kidnapping and rape cases, surge in robberies, vehicle thef t and the upward graph in the number of proclaimed offenders forced the regional police officer (RPO) to hold a meeting with the city police of ficer (CPO) and the police chiefs of the three districts and direct them to improve their performance.

The Rawalpindi district recorded 116 cases of kidnapping of girls/women and 15 rape cases from Jan 1 to April 13, 2017, compared to 105 kidnapping and 13 rape cases in the corresponding period last year.

As many as 48 abduction of women and nine rape cases were reported in the Potohar division whereas the Saddar division, comprising the rural area police stations, recorded 40 cases of kidnapping and three cases of rape compared to 38 and five cases, respectively, in 2016.

Eave-teasing or harassment and heckling of girls and women in public places, including public transport, streets and parks, remain unreported.

Samiul Haq Satti, a legal expert, said crimes against women were increasing day by day, especially against those aged between 18 and 25 years, in the f amily courts.

Of the total number of cases filed by women, 80pc claimed that they had been subjected to torture. On the other hand, a large number of crimes against women are not reported or registered, he said.

`Since there are complications in our legal system and a delay in the criminal justice system, women victims of crimes avoid going to the police and the courts.

He suggested constituting a separate cell, headed by a woman, to deal with crimes against women because harassment of women starts when the victim approaches a male staff seekingjusdce.

However, for RPO Mohammad Wisal Fakhar Sultan Raja the surge in street crime, including armed robberies, theft of vehicles and killing of people during robberies have become a matter of concerns. Six people have been killed by robbers so far this year compared to three in the corresponding period in 2016.

The RPO also expressed dissatisfaction over the working of the district police in apprehending proclaimed offenders as their number was also increasing. He asked the police officers to chalk out a fresh mechanism to control vehicle thef t and robberies.

According to figures, 256 armed robbers, including vehicle snatching, 142 burglary and 155 theft cases were reported to the police so far this year compared to 164 robberies, including vehicle snatching, 142 burglary and 132 thef t cases in 2016.

In addition, 190 cases of car theft and 159 of motorcycle theft were reported compared to 171 and 135 such cases in 2016. However, it was not known how many stolen vehicles and valuables were recovered by the police.

As many as 55 murder and 74 attempted murder cases were reported so far this year compared to 63 murder and 90 attempted murder cases reported last year.